Archive for category: Exhibits and Events

Two of my plein air paintings done at Pelindaba Lavender Farm this week, in full sun and full bloom...summer is definitely here! It’s good practice for painting around the Columbia River Gorge next week where it’s just as sunny and even hotter.

I am excited to be among the 40 artists from around the U.S. invited to the 13TH Annual Pacific Northwest Plein Air Event, July 31-August 4, with an opening public reception and exhibit, Friday August 4, 5-8 p.m. at the beautiful Maryhill Mueseum near Goldendale, Wa.

Pelindaba Path II

I plan to exhibit several paintings from the rivers, plateaus and peaks of the Columbia River Gorge for the reception. Hope to see you there! www.maryhillmuseum.org/pleinair

Come paint, sketch and tour the Italian Countryside with me (May 19-26) and Winslow Art Centers acclaimed "Arte Umbria" plein air painting adventures, near Orvietto, Italy. This is a limited enrollment workshop (14 maximum) that already has sign-ups for an unforgettable cultural art adventure, which will also include hands-on Italian Cooking classes with the chef/owners of a 300 acre farm and villa, just a few kilometers from Orvietto, where we will all live for 7 nights and 8 days!

The farm has olive oil and vineyards, plus fields with sheep and spectacular views of the Italian countryside in all directions. You will stay in old stone buildings remodeled to modern standards for your complete comfort and privacy, plus hands-on art instruction daily, including live demos at all sites with me.

www.winslowartcenter.com for full details, prices, accommodations, travel itinerary and to register - or call Martha Jordan, owner of Winslow Art center, 206-715-6663 to learn more about this fabulous trip to Italy!

Our trip starts and ends in Rome, just 1 1/2 hours south of the Provence of Terni, and also includes our ground transportation from Rome and back, as well as daily transport to the villages and painting sites. Fabulous daily meals, wines, all accommodations and small private tours are all in the package!

A $200 early sign-up discount off the art instruction fee is offered for registration before January 31st! Non-painter spouses/friends welcome at a reduced rate, on limited space available basis.

View the list of workshops and schedule of my other workshops this coming year. May peace prevail and Happy New Year to all of my blog subscribers. I do hope to see you all in 2017!

Teaching workshops in pastel painting techniques is very rewarding and keeps me involved exploring new techniques within this colorful and expressive medium. This is my seventh year teaching pastel workshops at Dakota Art Center, where I do two per year. An indoor beginning level each spring and another working with students on-site (en plein air) which is what I’ll be doing again September 22-24th in Washington State’s beautiful Skagit Valley. www.dakotaartcenter.com

This upcoming class has a full roster, with one student coming all the way from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have done many others for the past twelve years, here in the islands, where I live and invitational classes all around the U.S. and Europe. One of the joys of traveling and painting is having an opportunity to explore some pretty exotic painting sites and working with other artists who share a passion for learning.

Whether I’m teaching in Croatia, Belgium, Missouri or the nearby Skagit Valley, there is still something magical about stepping right out my front door and painting in the San Juan Islands! Pictured here is a painting I did just two weeks ago at a favorite site on Lopez Island, Fisherman Bay Peninsula Preserve.

I will end my teaching year with a 2 day beginning level pastel painting technique class at Winslow Art Center, December 3-4 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle. For a full class description and to register go to www.winslowartcenter.com

Exciting News just came over the wire and to celebrate the Lopez Artists’ Studio Tour this weekend!

I was just notified by North light Books that all 3 of my entries this year were selected for “Strokes of Genius 9, Creative Discoveries” international contest from more than 1300 entries (33 foreign countries and the U.S.) in the finals round. Moody Sol Duc River and “Rain,Sun,Rain, Havana” made the winners circle and “Sol Duc River Morning” made the runners-up list. The field was pared down to 475 semifinalists, then to 128 artists selected by Rachel Rubin Wolf, awards juror.

Moody Sol Duc

I am thrilled to receive an award like this and will showcase one of the paintings “Moody Sol Duc River” priced at $5000, at the 20th Annual Labor Day Weekend Artists Studio Tour at our home gallery on Lopez Island. I consider this plein air pastel painting to be my best ever “water-in-motion” piece.

The third painting “Sol Duc Morning” is now in our family private collection. “Strokes of Genius 9” will be published in October, 2017 and will be available on-line at North Light Books, museums and galleries, as well as Windswept Fine Art Gallery (that’s me) on Lopez Island.

Somewhere in this wild palette of colors are paintings I will be doing in Cuba!!On February 6th, one hundred plein air painters, mostly from the U.S., will be arriving at Havana, Cuba for a week long special painting trip to the “forbidden island” . . . and I’m totally excited to be one of them.

“Paint Cuba” is an artists’ invitational and historic painting event, organized and led by B. Eric Rhoads, publisher of Plein Air Magazine. No group of painters this size has ever been allowed to visit Cuba, in the history of the island. We will all be focused on recording our impressions in a country that has been standing still in time, preserved as though forgotten for five decades. www.pleinairmagazine.com

I will be posting some images of my artwork done in Cuba, after Judy and I return (there’s no easy way to do that from Cuba). I look forward to having a special showing of the works, when we return. I know that every artist going over is already feeling an historic connection and will be producing some incredible work.

I have just been notified by Stephen Doherty, editor of Plein Air Magazine my painting “Sol Duc Morning” has been awarded “Best Overall Pastel” in the October/November bimonthly Plein Air Salon competition. The jurist was Jim Peterson, owner of Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, Oregon.

It was painted en plein air during the “Paint the Peninsula Invitational Juried Competition” held at Port Angeles Fine Art Center last September. The same painting won an honorable mention at that event, by jurist and noted plein air artist, Gil Dellinger and now resides in my permanent collection.

It will be printed in Plein Air Magazine – Salon Winners, February/March, 2016 issue. This painting is now a semi-final winner and will be considered for the cash awards which will be announced during the PleinAir Convention in Tucson, AZ in April 2016. View the on-line announcement and other paintings here.

I am very pleased and honored to announce that one of my plein air paintings “Summer Glory II” received the juror's award at The 2015 Northwest Pastel Society Members Exhibit on Vashon Island, WA, from Jennifer Evenhus. The award came with a beautiful 48 color landscape set of Holbein Artists’ Soft Pastel sticks by Holbein Company in Williston, VT., which are among the finest pastel sticks on the market and already put to good use in my studio!

Plein Air Passion

One other painting “Plein Air Passion” which was done in September at Olympic National Park was also accepted into the NPS members’ exhibit. The show hangs at Vashon Allied Arts Gallery, 19704 Vashon Highway, sw on Vashon Island, through November 28th.Unfortunately, I missed the show opening because I was one of twenty four artists participating in the 7th Annual Zion National Park Plein Air Invitational, that same weekend in southern Utah. More on the Zion event in my next blog.

“Paint the Peninsula” invitational plein air event at Port Angeles, Washington, was a very rewarding experience in September. Incredible painting sites that encompassed all of Olympic National Park – from the ocean beaches to Hurricane Ridge, Sequim, Dungeness Spit and all the beautiful rivers like the Elwha and Sol Duc where I painted twice, just to name a few. The organizers had something special going for all of the artists every step of the way. . . from host housing to dinners out almost every night, plus a great opening reception at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center culminating the event.

Sol Duc Morning

I won 2 awards during the event. The first was the Dungeness Spit Wildlife Refuge Manager’s Award, selected by Jennifer Brown-Scott for “Morning Event”. The second, an honorable mention, came from Gil Dellinger, awards juror for the event, for my painting “Sol Duc Morning” painted on that same river.Being invited to paint in a field of very accomplished artists is both rewarding and challenging, as I feel my ever-steeper learning curve benefits a great deal from that kind of camaraderie and exposure.

I am embarking on a whole new series this winter in my studio, using the oil painting medium, with water as a theme, so the river “painting practice” en plein air this past summer has been just great!

Labor Day Weekend . . . 28 studios, 41 artists!I am ready - with well over 200 original works in pastel & oils and plus selected works from “life drawing” sessions on display and for sale at our home/gallery from my plein air painting and travel adventures all over the U.S. and Europe!! Many new Lopez Island pieces will be featured alongside works from 9 European countries, Zion National Park, California, Oregon, Idaho and back east.

Field at Red Tail Lane

We are doing our very popular “reduced-price unframed originals (both pastels and oils) again this year, as an economical way to add an original work of art to your collection and now have @ 50 ready to go for the studio tour. The concept is quite simple - I don’t have to add another frame cost and labor to my inventory, and you can pick your own to match the piece and your personal taste. Most pastels can be framed for @ $150, with Tru Vue museum glass, a nice matt or extra wide molding. For example (using round numbers here) a framed original priced at say $1000 can be purchased for $500 - $600, unframed. When you add the $150 to frame the piece – well, you do the math. Oils can be framed for even less!

We provide complete framing instructions that you can take to your favorite shop. Hint: Michael’s , Aaron Bros., and others are always putting up sales at 50% off if you just watch. Unframed originals are totally protected in special foam core hinged- mats, secured with glassine and carefully wrapped to deliver to your framer.

We still offer free, insured shipping within the continental U.S., on any originals (framed or unframed) sold from our gallery. This will be a very good year to see lots of my latest works - and enjoy the live painting demos I have planned just for the studio tour. Hope to see you Labor Day Weekend!

My art work has just been accepted into New Masters Gallery in Carmel, California and I just shipped six original pastels to the gallery, representing my plein air work from California, Oregon and Croatia!

In business for 41 years, New Masters Gallery has gained a top professional reputation as one of the finest galleries in California, representing a diverse selection of very accomplished artists from all over the U.S. The gallery is located on Dolores between Ocean Ave & 7th. www.newmastersgallery.com "Hauled out at Rascice, Croatia" is one of my paintings at the gallery

I am also very pleased to have been juried into the 22nd Annual Carmel Art Festival May 14-17, where I will again be painting among 60 artists from all around the U.S. and Canada, at some very spectacular sites, including Carmel, Monterey, Point Lobos and Big Sur.

I am very pleased to announce my new gallery affiliation with Silver Queen Fine Art Gallery in Park City, Utah, and am very excited to have my work included in their beautiful art gallery . . . just in time for the Sundance Film Festival!

I will be showing pieces from my urban series of paintings, which include scenarios and scenes from our past painting trips (since 2004) all over Europe and the U.S. Some are done “en plein air” and others at my own Lopez Island studio, from reference sketches/photos taken as we have traveled.

Do stop by their gallery whenever you are anywhere near Park City and see the stunning and eclectic array of artwork on display. Be sure to properly greet Midas the Cat, royal gallery denizen and art critic, as you walk through the exhibit.

The gallery is located at: 577 Old Main St., Park City, Utah www.silverqueenfineart.com 435-649-6555

A big thank you to the large crowd at our opening reception last Saturday night for “Croatia through Lopezian Artists’ Eyes” at the Lopez Community Center for the Arts! The exhibit hangs through January 5, 2015 and is a great opportunity to see artwork done entirely on site (en plein air) by Ralph Bladt, Anne Whirledge Karp and myself, while we were in Croatia this past September.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to announce my next overseas art workshops and wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season. It’s never too early to start planning for an art workshop that require overseas travel and these are both just over 18 months away!

Europe in 2016Island of Korcula, Croatia - June 5-14. Limited to 12 attendees (both artist and non artists). www.slikamilina.ca for full description and to register. All skill levels and mediums welcome, including pastel & oils (my live demo mediums), acrylics, watercolor and drawing. This will be my third workshop there!

Bruges, Belgium – June 30-July 7. Maximum 12 students, all skill levels and mediums encouraged (I will be doing most of my live demos in pastel and oils). www.frenchescapade.com for complete details and to register.

Both workshops in Europe will be spent painting outdoors, with emphasis on simplifying subject matter and making paintings that respond quickly to any subject. Daily live demos start each day with lots of help at each student’s easel during the entire workshop. Each day will end with very informative problem solving critique sessions and reviews of student work. Expect to come away with a whole new vocabulary in painting and a fabulous, fun experience. Gourmet food, touring to spectacular painting sites and lots of extra cultural experiences are major parts in each workshop!!

I am also teaching again in 2015 at Dakota Art Center, Mt. Vernon, WA, beginning this spring

March 21/22 & 28/29 Introduction to Pastels – 2 weekends, half days

June 25-27 Introduction to Plein Air Pastels (3 full days)Please visit their web site: www.dakotaartcenter.com for complete details. These are both pastel only workshops!

Tonight, Saturday, December 6, is the opening reception of a special exhibit "Croatia through Lopezian Artists' Eyes" at the Lopez Community Center for the Arts, from 5-7 p.m.

Ralph Bladt, Anne Whirledge - Karp and I have all been busy preparing for this show, having just returned from sunny, warm, Croatia just a little over 2 months ago. I will have pieces from my live instructional demos from the art workshop at Korcula Island, as well as some other Croatia paintings.

We are all excited to be showing our works together, plus sharing a slide show of our trip. We had a fantastic time painting, learning and eating wonderful foods as we travelled from Dubrovnik to Korcula Island and back last September. The show hangs until January 5th.

This painting which I titled “Soft Glow” was done en plein air, just after daybreak on Wednesday, November 5th, along the Virgin River where it dips under the “Court of the Patriarchs” during the Sixth Annual Zion National Park Plein Air Painting Invitational.

Twenty four artists from around the U.S. were invited to participate. Everyone worked from dawn to dusk (and even at night) for five days straight, to interpret and paint the canyon lands, from above and below, in what can only be described as frenetic energy, producing well over 300 original works for exhibit and sale Friday, Nov. 8th at the Zion Nature Center. Mediums were oil, water color, acrylic and pastel, which I used for this painting. Art collectors who attended the opening reception numbered in the hundreds and set a park record for sales this year (well over $160,000) that benefit Zion’s Youth Education program each year.

When awards were announced during the opening, I was pleased to learn that my painting was given the Superintendent of Zion National Park Purchase and Cash Award and will be put into the permanent art collection at Zion National Park. It will hang in perpetuity among others that date back to iconic artist Thomas Moran, whose sketches of the park in the 1880’s became large paintings, influencing President Wm. Howard Taft to declare Zion a national park, to Maynard Dixon and many others who have been given permanent collection status here.

This year we are featuring over 100 original framed paintings by Steve, and over 40 “unframed half price” originals from all over the islands, the U.S., and 9 countries in Europe, done over the past few years. They include landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes – plus many with the human figure in motion, as they are all painted on-site. There will also be some live tutorial demos (works in-progress) set-up to show the steps he uses when painting outdoors.

Steve's list of awards grows with his continued full-time involvement as a plein air artist, world traveler and workshop instructor. We hope you will be able to visit our home gallery and see his newest works, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, August 30-September 1.

783 Port Stanley Rd., just across the road from the north-end fire station. Hours are 9-5 during the tour as well as “Labor Day” Monday, September 1st!

I am participating in my 5th exhibit at Agora Gallery, Chelsea, NYC from June 10-July 1, with 9 plein air pastel paintings done from locations around the U.S. and Europe. The opening reception for the exhibit is Thursday, June 12, from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery, with food and wine. Unfortunately, my travel and teaching schedule will be keeping me away, but I hope any of you (my blog subscribers now approaching 500) will be able to attend and see my latest work.

This review from ArtisSpectrum Magazine, Volume 31, May 2014.

“Steven R Hill's dreamy pastel on card landscapes offer a sensitive appreciation of gorgeous yet overlooked places. Hill is a master of finding private intimate corners even on a mundane city sidewalk. He frames his spaces tightly, with as little empty sky or ground as possible. Hill is attracted to urban and pastoral settings alike, and manages to find the same sort of peaceful grace in both.

Hill works en plein air to better “capture the more elusive moment-in-time, mood, feel or essence.” His pastel work is gentle but amazingly detailed, with a variety of textures that is difficult to achieve in the medium. His palette is expertly built out of many layers of hue to deepen and fully realize the multiplicity of natural light. Realism and just a hint of romanticism combine for Hill's uniquely nuanced atmospheres. He was born in Boise, Idaho and currently lives in Washington State's San Juan Islands. He spent many years as an abstract painter, and has exhibited widely on both coasts of the United States. His plein air work has won over 18 major awards in national and international juried fine art competitions over the past seven years.”

Good weather and great painting sites made the 21st annual Carmel Art Festival a colorful event. I was pleased to sell two of my paintings during the festival, meet new collectors and work mostly around the water and coastal areas near Carmel and Point Lobos.

Painting among a group of diverse and very accomplished artists from around the U.S., always gives me fresh ideas for new techniques and approaches to use when I venture outdoors to paint. While I worked in pastel, a favorite medium, I feel a big urge to start incorporating oil paint in the next few months.

Working in multi - medium gives each one a chance to inform the other, bends the learning curve a little steeper and will give me an opportunity to challenge myself in new ways.

I have been juried into The 21st Annual Carmel Art Festival, May 15-18 at Carmel-by-the-sea, California. This is one of the premier western U.S. plein air painting competitions with 60 artists coming from all over the U.S. to paint en plein air and compete for cash prize awards.

Beyond the competition, this is a stunning place to paint on-site, at historical places like The Carmel Mission, Cannery Row and Monterrey Wharf, to sweeping vistas along the coast from Asilomar, Point Lobos, Moss Landing to Big Sur, as well as the Carmel Valley with rolling hills, adjacent fields of strawberries, artichokes and large farms to the east.

Somewhere, “out there” will be a perfect place for me to set-up my easel and do nothing but paint the landscape!

Fog Lifting Monterey Bay

"Fog Lifting, Monterrey Bay" (pictured here) was a piece I did at the 17th annual festival at Carmel and has just been released from our personal collection for sale at $1500.

A special Artists' reception at Art on the Boulevard, will be this Friday, March 7th from 5-9 p.m. “The Art of Pastel” features my work with 3 other pastel artists. The exhibit runs through March 29th and we hope to see many of you this Friday!

The original reception was cancelled in early February, due to a horrible snow/ice storm that forced the gallery to close. Much better weather is predicted for the upcoming reception!

Distant Fog, Charles Island

One of my plein air pieces in the exhibit, painted last October, from the back of a boat in the San Juan Islands, is pictured here. The gallery is located at 210 West Evergreen Boulevard, Vancouver, WA.

Tonight's reception for the exhibit “The Art of Pastel” where my work is featured with 3 other pastel artists at “Art on the Boulevard” in Vancouver, Washington, has been cancelled due to severe winter weather.

Kevin Weaver, gallery director, just emailed the cancellation notice with apologies for bad weather timing to all. Good call on his part – there was a 28 car pile-up on I-5, just north of Vancouver, yesterday. Round #2 of the storm shows up today.

What a year! 2013 presented many new plein air painting opportunities, combined with travel to great locations . . . including the stunning San Juan Islands of Washington State, where I live. It's all in a years' work and I'd like to share a shot of one corner of my studio, with some works-in-progress.

The short list includes my home town of Boise, Idaho, last June, then straight to Annapolis, Maryland for a national competition where I won a first place award, then to Ireland and England for the month of August, back to the islands again, a vacation/painting week at Whistler B.C., Canada and the grand finale: Zion National Park for another juried plein air painting competition “In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran” in November, where one of my paintings won an award.

Bridge at Enniscorthy, Ireland

8th Street market, Boise

On the way home from Zion, a 10 day stop to visit my two beautiful sisters in Goodyear, Arizona, where I gave a live painting demo to 20 members of the Pebble Creek Art Club, then through California to Oregon spending 3 days at Brookings, painting fabulous coastal rocks, surf and breaking waves – it seems almost dream-like now as I work to finish and frame many paintings made during our travels.

Fine November Day, Brookings, Oregon

The beauty of travelling to so many really cool places, is stepping into the studio to decide “where do I want to go today?” as I review about three dozen “works-in-progress” pinned to the cork strips surrounding the walls of my studio. At present, two are in progress from reference sketches and photos in Irish and English pubs.

Perhaps it's my own heritage staring back at me, or the ethereal quality of interior lights bouncing off the colorful walls and old woodwork that has focused my attention here . . . but I also know that I'll move on to something new by next week – outdoors, even in winter!

Many of the newest pieces I've done in 2013 will be hanging in a special gallery exhibit, with 4 other pastel artists: “The Art of Pastel” which opens next Friday, February 7th, at Art on the Boulevard, 210 W. Evergreen Avenue, Vancouver, Washington.

Opening reception for the 4 featured artists is from 5-9 p.m. To view the exhibit: www.artontheboulevard.org Hope to see some of you there!

As a signature member of The Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters , I am participating in the group's annual 2013 Benefit Art Auction, Saturday, October 19 at The Seattle Design Center, 1-5 p.m.

This is our annual “members' dues” auction that funds the organization and makes us able to donate major art scholarship monies to northwest schools. All members must donate one framed, finished original work of art to this auction, every year, as our dues.

My donation, this year, is “Marking Time and Pushing 100”, pictured here. I did this en plein air at the old Davis Homestead, on Lopez Island, four years ago and consider it to be one of my best ever plein air pieces. It's fitting that the old farm house did actually turn 100 this year, and was featured on the Lopez Island Home Tour. The original pastel is in a beautiful gold frame (18.5 x 22.5”) with non-glare museum glass and carries a market value of $1800.

Marking Time and Pushing 100

Most paintings at this auction sell for less than 1/3rd market value, so it's a great (and economical) way to enhance your art collection, plus have fun seeing and bidding on the 60 plus original works of art by many noted northwest artists.

Seattle Design Center is located at 5701 6th Avenue – the gallery and auction will be found on the second Floor Plaza Building. Preview art on-line at www.psgart.org or in person at SDC. There will be catered food and refreshments, as well. The live auction starts at 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required ($25), due by October 12th . . . and can be made on-line by email: [email protected]425-985-6279 for more info.

The 17th Annual Labor Day Artists' Studio Tour will be this Saturday and Sunday, (8/31 & 9/1). I'll have more than 100 original paintings (as well as some new figurative drawings) with many new pieces from recent plein air painting forays around the islands, the U.S. and Europe.

We are hosting a special “Studio Tour Preview Party” for collectors and patrons, with attractive discounts on all sales this Friday, August 30th from 5-8 p.m. at our home and gallery.

This year, we're featuring a special raffle drawing and live auction of 2 original pastel paintings I created especially for the Lopez Island Historical Society featuring the Sally J, a gill net boat now retired and on permanent display at the museum. Proceeds from the raffle and auction benefit the Lopez Island Historical Society.

A nicely written article by Ande Finley about this special auction event appeared in the Islands Weekly newspaper while we were travelling and painting in Ireland and England over the last month. Click on this link http://www.islandsweekly.com/news/217178271.html to read.

The LIHS Museum board and I are very grateful and quite honored to have celebrity auctioneer, Sharon Friel, volunteer her time to host this special live auction at the party! Sharon will auction whichever Sally J painting isn't drawn during the raffle.

Island Icon III

I've also donated a 3rd smaller original painting to commemorate the museum's 40-year celebration event. Island Icon III, was painted en plein air from the Weeks Wetland Estuary looking back to the only remaining old barn within a stone's throw of Lopez Village. I love working with that old barn and especially here, when the early morning backlight illuminated the graceful skeleton, which still holds everything in place . . . even after 100 years!

We recently mailed invitations to our gallery list of patrons and collectors, and we would also like to invite any blog subscribers who wish to attend this special event at our home and gallery. It is by invitation only, so please email your rsvp, by Tuesday, August 27th, if you would like to attend. We can also accommodate a few bidders online. This requires a bit of set-up, so please contact us as soon as possible if you can't attend, but would like to bid.

Tickets for the raffle may also still be purchased, either at the Lopez Island Historical Museum, at their website: http://www.lopezmuseum.org/ or at Windswept Fine Art Gallery, until the drawing takes place at the party.

This is to announce my featured exhibit at WM. McCauley Gallery, in Friday Harbor, with an opening reception this Saturday, August 24th from 4-8 p.m. Several pastel originals from my plein air painting forays around the U.S. and Europe, will be featured through September 20.

North Santiam Deadfall

The gallery is located at 232 “A” Street #6, just above the main ferry parking lot and is open Wed.-Sat. 11-6 and Sundays, 12-4,. 360-298-6196 email: [email protected].

Apologies for not blogging sooner, as we just got home from a one month painting trip to Ireland and England. Hope to see you at the opening!

“Art in the Open” Wexford, Ireland has been an incredible venue for painting the past 7 days! I am just one of over 185 artists from all over the world doing plein air painting around the southeast corner of Ireland. This is a place full of rich historical sites, stunning coastal and river side locales, all steeped in what we would define as “heritage locations” anywhere in the U.S.I have done 12 plein air paintings and am attaching 3 to this blog.

Ballymore Legacy done during 2013 Art in the Open Ireland.

The first “Ballymore Legacy” was painted at the same farm rebels camped for 3 months during the 1798 uprising against the Red Coats. I could feel a presence beyond the subject matter of baled barley fields, especially with landscape falling away into distant sections – almost as if something is about to happen.

Beached done during 2013 Art in the open at Carne Beach, Ireland

The second “Beached” was painted at Carne Beach, near Wexford – two old wooden dinghies left high and dry with rapidly receding tides and in burning light from direct sun, just after a driving rain and wind storm. Even the most simple composition and subject matter feels different in Ireland.

Ballyhack Rain

The third “Ballyhack Rain” is just that. These boats provided a great opportunity to paint at the quay, and experience first-hand the fabled storms of Ireland, which come up very quickly and slap you silly, even in August! One artist just threw his gear down in frustration and headed for immediate shelter. Only a few painters made it through the deluge, as we had umbrellas to partially shelter painting easels. I was completely soaked when finished, but was able to keep the painting dry with an umbrella in one hand and pastels in the other. I have never experienced more challenging weather conditions than what we were dealt during this event . . . but the combined energy of the group of artists has kept everyone focused and moving forward.

I was honored to receive an award from Stephen Doherty, Editor of “Plein Air Magazine” for the painting done at Hollywood Farm, just outside the city, during the juried “Paint Annapolis” event in Maryland, last Saturday night. Thirty artists were selected to compete from all over the U.S. and this piece won a blue ribbon and $150 merchandise award from “Guerilla Painters” company in Colorado. This was the first year the event offered an award for a piece done outside urban Annapolis.

He commented: “Steven Hill pushes the boundaries of representational painting with broad, layered strokes of color, using nothing more than simple shapes and values, in a nearly abstract way, to give the viewer a sense of time, place and implied realism. This painting embodies an excellent sense of the artists' technique, which breathes life into the scene he has presented, without relying on overly complicated visual elements.”

Big Red Barn

Mr. Doherty is the former editor -in-chief of “American Artist Magazine” with a career that spanned 31 years and is currently the editor of “Plein Air Magazine”, as well as an accomplished and engaged plein air painter. He also gave an interesting and well informed presentation on the history of plein air painting in America, at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, prior to the awards ceremony.

The collective exhibit (with 4 other pieces I created during the event) hangs at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 chase St., Annapolis, MD, through July 14.

Boise River BluesOn the way to Annapolis, Maryland for “Paint Annapolis”, a juried plein air painting event, we have stopped briefly at my home town, Boise, Idaho for a family gathering.I grew-up floating and fishing this gorgeous river, which starts high in the Sawtooth Mountains about 120 miles northeast of Boise, flows through the city and empties into the Snake River, near the Idaho/Oregon border.The light this morning was spectacular at this small cataract near Bown Crossing. What always amazes me about this river is the sheer volume of water it carries, with swift current conducive to warped shadows from the distant trees.

You can't always “go home” again, but for me, this is still a place I call home in Idaho, whenever the op arises to paint here.I will be blogging totally different images next week from Annapolis, during the competition which runs from June 2-30, ending with a quick draw June 29.Hope to see some of you during the event!

This is to announce my 4th exhibit in New York City since 2009, with an Opening Reception at Agora Gallery, on June 6, from 6-8 p.m.

“The Manifestation of Milieu” features my work together with 9 other artists from around the world, with new pieces from my own travels – all done en plein air. I have always considered my work to be very much about time and place, so it's nice to have a show underscoring that theme at a major art gallery in the Chelsea District on Manhattan Island.

Speaking of “Milieu”, Manhattan Island is almost identical in physical size (12 miles x 4 miles) to Lopez Island, Washington, where I live and work. There is a slight population difference of @ 5 million people (give or take the 2500 who live on Lopez) but nonetheless, very close to the same footprint on the map.

Croatian Harbor Repose

I have 7 pieces in this exhibit, from Lopez Island . . . to Idaho, Portugal, California & Croatia. You can view them on-line at www.Agora-Gallery.com or better yet, see them at the gallery, through June 25th and even add one to your personal art collection. The gallery is located at 530 West 25th St. and the exhibit hangs until June 25.

The exhibit of new works continues through June 4th, at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes. Many thanks to the hundreds of people who attended the opening reception for the gallery artists on May 3rd – and for the sales made, as well.

Quiet Now

This piece was painted en plein air at an old fish cannery just along Guemes Channel, about 5 blocks from the gallery on May 1st, and is now framed and hanging with my other works, replacing one that sold.

I have been wanting to paint this old boarded-up building for years, with it's lovely lines a little sagging, but still bearing testament to the decades of the commercial fishing industry around Anacortes. It's very quiet now, but I could still feel the presence of all the activity from the glory days . . . almost as if someone would open that door and come down the steps again.

I will be featured artist at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, this Friday, May 3, with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. at the gallery. I will be exhibiting at least 10 new works from recent plein air painting trips around the U.S. and Europe. My wife, Judy, and I will be attending the opening - and hope to see you there! The exhibit runs through June 4th. The gallery is located at 420 Commercial Ave., in Anacortes. www.scottmilo.com

Edison Slough in Winter

The piece here was done on-site, March 5th, from the bridge spanning the slough, in the small town of Edison, Washington. I have been interested (visually) in those scars, created by logging, on the distant Cascade Mountains and how they point like fingers, to the ridges and valleys where they lie. While I was initially drawn to the reflective quality of the water and bright warm winter colors around the slough, it was the distant snow pattern that gave a focal interest to this painting, which will be hanging for this show.

I would like to invite my blog subscribers to join me at the opening reception of "The Winter Showcase" a juried art event at Jansen Art Center, on Thursday, January 31, from 6-8 p.m. I have 4 pieces in this exhibit (2 are pictured here) all done "en plein air", over the past year. Light refreshments will be served upstairs in the library, as well as live music in the newly completed piano lounge, where appetizers, beer and wine are available for purchase. This exhibit runs through March 25th. Hope to see you there!

My new workshop schedule (2013 and beyond – see above) has just been posted. The painting pictured here titled: Olympic Vista is a live demo piece I did “en plein air” from a special fall workshop I taught on Lopez Island and is now in a private collection. I hope any of my blog subscribers will be able to sign-up for one and/or forward this to friends who might have an interest in taking one of the 7 new workshops listed on my web site.

Olympic Vista

I am excited and honored to have been selected to exhibit 2 works at Knowlton Gallery in Lodi, California, as part of a special juried exhibit – "Contemporary Marine Artists of the West". Thirty four pieces were selected out of 68 entries by renowned, award winning American Marine Artist, Don Demers, from Maine. Mr. Demers is also a "fellow" of the prestigious American Society of Marine Artists and has an extensive list of top awards in juried art competitions, as well as many fine articles published about his work in major art magazines.

The exhibit runs from January 15-March 2, 2013, with an opening reception, Saturday, January 19th from 1-4 p.m. at the gallery. The gallery is located at 115 S. School Street, Lodi, California. Hours are: Tues-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and most Sundays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. www.knowltongallery.com

A new article "Taking on the Big Apple" pages 78 and 79, has just been published in ArtisSpectrum Magazine, Agora Gallery, in Chelsea, New York, that profiles the impact of my experiences showingartwork there for the last 4 years.

As I prepare for my next exhibit at Agora Gallery, (June 6, 2013) and the many new directions exhibiting in NYC has provided, it helps to put things in perspective by looking back at some older works as pictured in my artist' profile on page 113 of the same magazine... and ahead to my newest series of paintings, now in-progress. Two of those (both in private collections) are pictured here.

Spring Day, Lisbon

These newer works include paintings done en plein air, from all over Europe to New York, Idaho (my native state), California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia and Washington State's San Juan Islands, where I have lived for the past 39 years.

Having an opportunity to exhibit such a broad variety of subjects at one of the top art galleries in New York, was not on my radar just 4 years ago... but it is there now.

I look now at dozens of newer finished paintings in my studio and still feel the excitement of discovery each place provided.

If there's a common thread that weaves through so many different themes and locales, it is the joyful persistence in searching each one out, and making my observations into something that evokes substantial feelings of emotion, time and place, in an ever growing and colorful visual language.

I will have the opportunity to participate in some really fun events, including a film and poetry night, a live auction of paintings created during the festival, plus the “Quick Draw” on Saturday, October 6 th, at Mission Plaza in SLO.

I am also shipping one of my original plein air landscape pastels to hang at the main gallery during the week long “preview exhibit” for participating artists during this festival. Hope to see you there!

I have already re-hung the entire gallery and house with nearly 100 original works in Pastel, Oil, Watercolor and Figurative drawings in pastel. Half of these are works never displayed, as they were done over the past year. Some were done at plein air juried events back east, out west, Italy and lots from the islands. We are having a once-per-year “preview sale” until Friday, Aug. 31st at the gallery. Stop-by (or email) to see what's being offered with sale prices.

L-R: Steven R Hill, Everett Raymond Kinstler

During the Studio Tour, I will be showing one painting (not for sale) that won 2nd Honorable mention from renowned oil painter, Everett Raymond Kinstler, in Richmond, VA and pictured in the background of this photo taken by fellow artist, William Bensen, at the awards ceremony June 23, at Brazier Gallery. Frankly, the biggest honor of my art career is simply having met such a legendary American artist. He regaled everyone at the awards ceremony with “painting” stories of famous people he has done over his 60 year career, including Katherine Hepburn, John Wayne and Bill Clinton, among thousands of portraits. Visit his web site: www.everettraymondkinstler.com to see this man's incredible work.

In the meantime, do stop-by the gallery (“Studio #2” on the map and guide) to take a peek at my latest work. 783 Port Stanley Rd., Lopez Island, WA. Open until 5 daily.

I am excited to have been selected as one of 20 artists juried into the 2012 Plein Air Painters' U.S. Open, through the Pacific Northwest Art School at Coupeville, WA on Whidbey Island.

Painting dates are August 15-17, culminating in a special "Plein Air Painters Collector's Show, Private BBQ and Wall Sale" on Saturday, August 18th. I have attached that invitation to all blog subscribers, as many of you have become collectors, as well.

It will be a fun time, with fresh, great food and wine, even fresher artwork and all artists will be in attendance! If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the phone number in the invitation. Hope to see you August 18th!

I was honored to receive the second place award at the 5th Annual Plein Air Washington and San Juan Preservation Trust Summer Social and plein air Art Event, yesterday on Shaw Island. The piece “Lookout Point II” was painted en plein air at Upright Head, a one mile hike over the hill, from the Lopez Island ferry Landing. Early morning backlight provided a great contrast for the trees, steep cliffs and rocks below.

Lookout Point II

This piece is on exhibit and for sale at Crow Valley Gallery on Orcas Island, together with 4 other new works created exclusively for this plein air event. Price is $1200 framed. Contact Michael or Jeffri for more information on any of these newest paintings: [email protected]

The 5th Annual Plein Air Painters of Washington and San Juan Preservation trust Paint-out is today on Shaw Island. I have new works from the islands on display for this event, which will be at the Ellis Property on Shaw Island. Proceeds from all the art sold benefit the efforts to keep these islands intact as a rural entity by the San Juan Preservation Trust.

I am pleased to announce that one of my recent plein air pieces "Foggiest notion" was accepted into the juried division of the 51st Annual Anacortes Arts Festival. Juror is Barbara Matilsky, Art Curator of the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, WA. The Annual Opening Event is Saturday, July 28th from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed. The festival runs August 3-5.

This is one of my larger format pieces (19.5 x 24.5 image size), painted in one session at the estuary lagoon separating Port Stanley and Swifts Bay from the north end of Lopez Island. I was particularly intrigued with the drifting fog and back-lit atmospheric conditions, which the morning sunfinally burned-off @ 11 a.m.

Sometimes, the reflections in the water were actually stronger than the images that made them, simply because the fog-induced light bounced around everything in my view, constantly changing as I painted. I don't often "chase the light", but felt compelled to do it with this particularweather condition, which made pleasing, ever changing shapes and forms, right in front of my nose.www.anacortesartsfestival.com for complete exhibit details.

Sorry for the late notice. Travel has been great for art, but not for blog posting. I am having a solo show at "The Gathering Place" at The Hamlet in Lopez Village with an opening reception tonight from 5-7 p.m.

Go to www.lopezartistguild.org for more details. The image here titled: "Island Icon III" was painted on-site in May 2012, from the Weeks Wetland behind Lopez Village.

A little irony to the above title, as one of my very favorite subjects to paint are actually old, rural barns, like this one. “American Beauty” is a barn in Oregon, which could be anywhere “out west” where I live. I love to see these magnificent old structures, even as most are crumbling into oblivion or suffering the constant pressure of land development.

American Beauty

Far removed from the series of “out west” paintings are the more citified, but still gorgeous old buildings, gardens, wharfs, boats, and historic structures from the colonial to civil war eras “back east”, where I will be painting in June.

“PAINT ANNAPOLIS”, June 7-9As one of the 5 alternates chosen to work among 30 regulars for this event, I will be exhibiting work at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts through July 15th. I will also be competing in “Dueling Brushes” the morning of June 9th. Complete details: www.mdhallarts.org

“PLEIN AIR RICHMOND”, June 16-23Richmond, Virginia. This juried competition benefiting the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, has 47 artists from all over the U.S. chosen by M. Stephen Doherty, editor-in-chief of “Plein Air magazine”. Everett Raymond Kinstler, preeminent American portrait artist and painter, will be awards juror for this event, which is hosted by Brazier Gallery, in Richmond. A gala dinner and opening reception celebration, complete with a Richmond Symphony Orchestra performance culminates the activities on Friday night. I will also paint in “Fast and Fresh” (their version of a quick draw) competition, held on Richmond's famed Monument Avenue, Saturday, June 23rd. Web site: www.pleinairrichmond.com

PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP, NW Georgia, June 28-July 1 Looking across to the Blue Ridge Mountains and painting around historic Rome, Georgia . . . a spectacular place to work and learn . I will paint daily instructional demos and assist all participants at their easels. Space is still available - contact Wanda: [email protected]

My wife, Judy, and I hope to connect with friends and art lovers while we travel around “way back east” through June!

The picture here was taken February 2, during an invitational live painting demo for the Art League North in Mt. Vernon, Washington, with about 25 artist members in attendance. I re-visited the “Molino” (waterwheel) where I had painted “en plein air” on the Arno River at Rovezzano, Italy from our recent trip.

I was also honored to do a live simulated “plein air” demo for 50 artists at the Olympia Art League, in Olympia, WA, last month. That demo painting “Along the road to Volterra” is on their web site: www.olympiaartleague.com

Live Demo at Art League North

Demos like these are an integral part of the workshops I teach, as the paintings are done with the same amount of time and energy that goes into working on-site, even though from reference photos and my own memory of light and weather conditions. It is also how I work in my studio, after returning from a long painting trip; editing through the thousands of reference photos we take during our travels, and selecting the best to use for paintings.

On April 20-22, I will be teaching a 3 day pastel workshop at Ocean Shores, WA, as part of the 43rd annual Associated Arts of Ocean Shores National Juried Fine Art Competition. There are still a few spots left in that workshop – email Linda Parisi at: [email protected] for information.

One year ago, I was honored to be selected by the Associated Artists of Ocean Shores, as the Fine Arts Juror for this juried fine art competition, and have already picked about 90 pieces from over 170 entries nationwide, which will be displayed at their beautiful new convention center, April 20-22. The quality of the artwork submitted was outstanding and it will be difficult to choose among the best for cash awards, which total over $10,000. www.associatedarts.org for exhibit schedule and events.

This summer, I am teaching another 4 day plein air painting workshop in Northwest Georgia, June 28-July 1, near Rome, about 75 miles northwest of Atlanta and near Chattanooga, TN. It is limited to 10 students . . . we will be painting around historic Rome and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Some space is still available. Contact me or email Wanda Riggs: [email protected] for complete details.

My last Lopez Island Pastel workshop of 2012, will be August 10-12 and is full with a waiting list only. I plan to offer more workshops through Dakota Art Center, in Mt. Vernon, WA, (formerly La Conner Art Workshops) next fall and winter, as well. Watch for announcements of dates and details at [email protected]

I am honored to be one of eleven artists representing the United States at The Florence Biennale, December 3-11, at The Fortezza da Basso, in Florence, Italy. Over 600 artists from 60 countries are invited by a committee of twelve art curators, who represent major museums in Europe, The U.S., China, Mexico, Brazil, India and other countries. In 2001, the United Nations recognized The Florence Biennial as an official partner in their program "Dialogue Among Nations" in perfect harmony with Kofi Annan's statement: "Artists speak not only to people but for people. Art is a weapon against ignorance and hatred and a representative of the human conscience. Art opens new doors for learning, understanding, and peace among people and nations."

Diversion

With that in mind, I created 2 pieces representative of my own Pacific Northwest heritage, which involves water- theme compositions and subject matter. They are titled "Passage" and "Diversion", done in 2011 in pastel, from field studies, drawings and paintings made en plein aire from Washington, Oregon, Idaho (my birth state) and Montana. Both measure 27.5 x 33.5 (framed) and are offered for exhibit at the Biennale. They are for sale at $8000, each.

My wife, Judy, and I will be in Tuscany for 10 days, before heading to Florence, on December 3rd. I plan to take full advantage of the painting opportunity this region offers and paint outdoors (alla prima or "plein aire"). I will blog new images as best I can, while we are on the road, and plan to have a special exhibit of the works sometime in late spring, after we return to our home on Lopez Island, Washington.

Seven of my newest works will be featured in a collective exhibit titled "The Persistence of Form" with eight other artists from around the world, at Agora Gallery 530 W. 25th St., Chelsea, New York, NY from November 2-November 23, 2011. View my new works at the gallery, for this exhibit.

You are cordially invited to attend the opening reception, Thursday, November 3, from 6-9 p.m. I will be at the opening, with my wife, Judy. We both look forward to seeing old east coast friends, as well as meeting new patrons, art lovers and collectors. Openings at Agora Gallery are always very well attended and made extra special with the unveiling of all new artwork, together with wonderful foods and beverages, served by the gallery staff. The piece pictured here, "Infusion" is one of 4 new river theme pieces I will have on display. It is 27.5" x 33.5" (framed with museum glass) Pastel on board, available for $8,000.

I am pleased to announce that I have been invited to do live demos at The Pacific Northwest Art School this coming Saturday and Sunday in Coupeville, WA. This event coincides with The 48th Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, a major annual event for thousands of art lover attendees. I will be working in pastel both days and always encourage questions from viewers during my live demos. On the teaching front: I will be doing a 3 day pastel workshop (plein air) with The Pacific Northwest Art School, in August 2012. Brochures and info for this future workshop will be available at the festival and on-line, by this weekend. www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org for more info and to sign-up.

Note: The painting pictured here, was done last weekend on Orcas Island. It is titled “Deer Harbor Overlook” and sold to a private collector from San Juan Island, during the live auction for the San Juan Preservation trust and Plein Air Painters of Washington.

My painting pictured here and titled "Swift Bay Farm Barn" was awarded “Best of Show” at the Plein Air Painters of Washington and San Juan Preservation Trust Annual paint-out event, Saturday, July 30th. It has sold to a private collector on Orcas Island.

A second piece, titled "Deer Harbor Overlook" was painted during the event on Saturday and also sold to a private collector from San Juan Island during the art auction. Half the proceeds from that auction are donated to The San Juan Preservation Trust. Approximately one dozen auction benefit pieces were sold during the event, as well as several paintings displayed at the outdoor exhibit.

Summer Social and Paint-Out, 2011I will be participating again in the 4th Annual San Juan Preservation Trust and Plein Air Painters of Washington live paint-out and fine art auction tomorrow, July 30th, at Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island. Several artists from all over the state will be present and working on - site.This is a great opportunity to view artists at work and experience “plein air” painting in many different styles and mediums . . . wonderful food, local wines, live music, children's activities plus the art show and auction all add-up to an event worth seeing! 1:00 - 6:30 P.M. at the south entrance to Turtleback Mountain Preserve. Go to www.sjpt.org for a map and complete details. Hope to see you there!

The painting here, titled “Estuary in Rouge” was painted on-site in early July, at Port Stanley, on Lopez Island and is one of 3 new island pieces I am exhibiting at Crow Valley Gallery on Orcas Island, through the month of August.

Friday, June 10th from 5-7 p.m,. marks the opening reception of a collective exhibit of work from 5 Lopez Island artists: Nancy Bingham, Richard Singer, Carolyn Cameron, Anne-Whirledge Karp and myself.I am exhibiting work from my plein air painting trips in Portugal, Tuscany and the Pacific Northwest. One of my pieces, pictured here and titled “Spring Day, Lisbon” is from studies and reference photos done during a multi-country European painting trip 3 years ago.

Spring Day, Lisbon

The show hangs through July 26th . Food and beverages will be served at the opening reception and I hope to see some of you there!

We have just returned from a 2 week painting trip, highlighted by The Carmel Art Festival, a 4 day juried event, with 60 artists participating from all over the U.S. The 2 pieces pictured here, were both painted on location and sold at the festival. “Sunstruck” is the back courtyard of the famous Carmel Mission and the water piece, “Tide's Out” was painted at Asilomar Beach, near Pacific Grove.

Sunstruck

I particularly like the water action and have been working towards presenting that subject in many different ways, as I prepare for my next big shows in New York (Agora Gallery, November 3 opening) and Italy, (Florence Biennale, Dec. 3-12).

Tides Out

As dates on the calendar are always closer than they appear, studio time and plein air time have become precious. Just a note: I have been invited to do a “live” demo at Art League North and will be doing a little presentation on “Travel”, especially the materials set-up I take on extended painting trips abroad, as well as a demo from Tuscany reference drawings and photos. That will be at The McLean Road Fire Station, (near Mt. Vernon) June 2nd from 10:30-12:30. I hope to see any local blog subscribers there.

I have been juried into the 18th Annual Carmel Arts Festival which will be held May 12-15, at Carmel, California. Sixty artists will be painting for 2 days and competing for recognition awards. This year, a guest judge, Mr. Jean Stern, executive director of The Irvine Museum, has been announced to jury the 120 entries that will be presented to the public on Saturday, May 14th. Mr. Stern is a noted scholar on plein air painting, especially works from the California Impressionists.Go to www.carmelartfestival.org for complete event details and to see a list of the artists who were accepted into this year's event. This event is attended by thousands of art lovers and features both a silent and live auction of works made during the festival, 2 days of live music, a live sculpture demo, and a “quick draw” for award winners on Sunday. I hope to see any of you who might be in the area at the festival! The piece pictured here “Changing Tide” was one of my works from the 2010 festival.

Absentee Bidding: Sat., May 14th only for paintings displayed on the festival web site. To get on the mailing list for absentee bidding please email Hella at [email protected]

November 13- December 21st at the American Art Company, 1126 Broadway, Tacoma, Washington. I had one original piece juried into this annual exhibit, pictured here and titled: “Resting Under Evening Skies”.

It was painted in August, 2010, en plein air near the village on Lopez Island, where I live and work. The opening reception is 1-4 P.M., and will be well attended.

I will also be showing giclee prints of this piece, together with a few originals and other prints locally, at The Lopez Island Golf Club Holiday Art show, next Friday, Nov. 12th at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 13th 10-2 p.m. I hope you can make either of these two events.

Don't miss the annual Plein Air Washington and the San Juan Preservation Trust Summer Social and Paint out, this Saturday, July 31st

I will be participating again this year in both the juried art exhibit and invitational plein air “quick draw” event at the Hoedemaker Farm on Lopez Island. Dozens of artists from all over the northwest will also be participating and working on-site during this event, which features: a live art show and auction, on - site (plein air) painting, children's activities, food by renowned chef, Kim Bast, wine from Lopez Island Vineyards and live music by JP and the OK Rhythm Boys!

For a detailed map and directions: www.sjpt.org and view "calendar of events". Pictured here is a pastel I did about 3 weeks ago, in a practice run titled: “Marking Time and Pushing 100”.

The artwork selected for exhibit by jurors, will be exhibited and for sale, Saturday, from 4-7 p.m. Many painters will be arriving earlier than that to set-up and paint on Saturday. Many of the remaining works will then transfer to Crow Valley Gallery in Eastsound for a special exhibit through Labor Day weekend. www.crowvalley.com

I hope to see many of you there on Saturday, while we all work within the great range of landscape possibilities and subject matter provided at this historic old farm.

An opening reception for the artists will be held on August 5, 6-8 pm. Both Judy and I will attend the reception and look forward to seeing patrons and meeting collectors, while in New York.

Dubrovnik Promenade

The piece here "Dubrovnik Promenade" painted from our October 2009 trip to Croatia, has already sold (together with “Gernika, Spain”) to a private collector prior to the show opening. I have shipped 2 more pieces to the gallery for this show and will have a total of 8 new works exhibited.

Friday, January 8th, marks my inaugural exhibit in New York City at Amsterdam Whitney International Fine Art Gallery in the Chelsea District. Go to www.amsterdamwhitneygallery.com for a preview of the work I will be exhibiting during this show, which runs through February 2, 2010.

One of the major pieces in this show was published in the book "The Best of America Pastel Artists and Artisans", Vol. I, by Kennedy Publications in October, 2007. It is titled "La Mattina, Riomaggiore" . . . literally "The Morning" and was completed from studies done in Italy's Cinque Terre, in the southernmost village of Riomaggiore.

Ancient Walled City, Krk, Croatia

The piece pictured here, is from my recent painting trip to Croatia titled "Ancient Walled City, Krk, Croatia", painted in October, 2009. I hope any of my blog subscribers who live around the east coast or who might be visiting New York, can make the opening and see the show! The gallery is located at 511 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY. A gala opening champagne reception will be held on Thursday, January 14, from 6-8 p.m.

My painting “Arcady Barn at Deer Harbor” was awarded First Place in the San Juan Preservation Trust and Plein Air Washington Artists annual juried paint-out, yesterday on Orcas Island.

The event was well attended with over 300 people, all of whom share a common ground in helping to preserve open spaces in the San Juan Islands. Beautiful live music, wonderful fresh-grilled salmon and island garden bounty all made the event live-up to its name “Summer Social”. A live auction of artwork was also held, with nearly every piece sold from artwork done during the “quick draw”. 40% of those proceeds go directly to the San Juan Preservation Trust. My quick draw piece “Arcady Barn in Soft Light” sold for $850, netting $340 for the SJPT.

Other artwork done for this event has been entered into Crow Valley Gallery on Orcas Island and will be exhibited through the month of August. I will be joining other selected artists to participate in doing new plein air pieces around Orcas Island next week. A big grand opening event will be held next Friday, August 14th at Crow Valley. Be sure to visit their web site for details www.crowvalley.com .

Art on the Boulevard Gallery is celebrating its annual “Art in the Heart” weekend again this year, with many gallery artists demonstrating live painting techniques for the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Vancouver, Washington.

Italy Lucca San Martino Torre

Other gallery artists, including me, are offering original artwork at “Festival Pricing” for this weekend only. You may take a 15% discount on any of my originals at the gallery, for 2 days only, Friday and Saturday, August 7 & 8.Be sure to visit the gallery or their web site, click on my name, do the math, and find some excellent pricing – this Friday and Saturday only. www.artontheboulevard.org

Two of my works have received the honor of being selected for The 24th Annual Chelsea International Juried Fine Art Competition in New York City. This prestigious collective exhibit will be held at Agora Gallery, in the heart of the Chelsea District and is billed as New York's most anticipated annual art event.

The Chelsea International is typically juried by top art world professionals, like the directors of The Guggenheim or Chelsea Museums, with this year's event juried by Mr. Ira Goldberg, executive director of The Art Students League of New York.

My wife, Judy, and I will attend the opening reception for the artists on Thursday, August 20. Both pieces selected are pictured here and were painted en plein air, at Krk, Croatia, during our 3 month painting trip to Europe, in 2008.

This Saturday and Sunday, August 1 & 2, I will be in La Conner, Washington with the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters participating in a live “Paint-Out”. Several of our plein air landscape painting members will be all over the La Conner area working with pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors working directly from the subject.A special one month gallery exhibit of works from this group, as well as pieces finished during the paint-out, will be held at La Conner Seaside Gallery near the heart of La Conner (210 Morris St). The PSGNWP will also have a 2 day “artists' exhibit” and sale of their own artwork, directly adjacent to the gallery in an outdoor pavilion setting.www.laconnerseasidegallery.com

Channel Rhythms

The painting here, “Channel Rhythms” is a piece I did one month ago along the Swinomish Channel in downtown and will be 1 of 3 of my works showing at the gallery. Come see art-in-the-making, by some of the northwest's most accomplished landscape painters.

There are still some spaces left for the 10 day plein air painting experience on Korcula Island, in Southern Croatia, October 5-14, 2009.I will be doing live daily demos at many sites around this beautiful island, including the ancient city of Korcula, as well as many seaside and hilltop villages, old vineyards, olive orchards and around the famous turquoise waters here.

Registration by August 5th. www.slikamilina.ca for full information and details. Only $1550 U.S. (funds are payable in Canadian dollars at current exchange rates) pays for all lodging, the workshop fee, all meals (full breakfasts, sack lunches for painting sites and beautiful dinners with wine) and ground transportation. (Non-artists spouses, travelling companions only $1350 U.S.).

The painting here is from my last trip to Korcula Island titled “Croatian Island Port”. I will be doing live daily demos at all sites, mainly in pastel, but other mediums (oils, watercolors, photography) are encouraged.

I just received notification that I will be one of 60 plein air painters accepted into this years Carmel Art Festival. It is a live event, with all artists painting around the Monterey Peninsula, next Thursday and Friday, May 14th &15th. The paintings are all juried Saturday morning, with an awards ceremony Saturday evening. A "quick draw" juried event is held on Sunday morning, for award winners from the juried show only, and allows jut 2 hours for work to be done within a short radius of the show site.

This year, the festival is hosting "Absentee Bidding" on-line for the first time, during the silent auction. If any of you are near Carmel-by-the-Sea on those dates, do stop-by to say hi and see what 60 different artists can do in just 2 days. I'll be there!

A new show at Art on the Boulevard gallery in Vancouver, Washington, opens tomorrow night, Friday, April 3rd and runs through April 28th. Seventeen gallery artists are exhibiting a lively and wide variety of still life paintings and sculpture pieces.

One of my 3 pieces "Cooking Italian III" is pictured here. This show celebrates the gallery's 3rd Anniversary and they are offering a "web special" for 2 days only. Go to the web site: www.artontheboulevard.org and click on the show to see what's in store for this weekend!

My first one man show will open with an artists' reception on Friday, March 6th from 5-9 p.m. at Art on the Boulevard Fine Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver, Washington. I am unveiling 28 new pastel paintings, many from our recent 3 month trip to Europe, as well as plein air paintings from the U.S. – all completed over the past year.

The gallery is hosting the reception with festive foods and wine throughout the evening. I am very excited to have a solo show featuring these new pieces and hope to see you at the opening reception! The gallery is located at the corner of Evergreen and Columbia, (210 W. Evergreen Blvd) (360) 750-4499. Please visit their web site, to preview works for this show at www.artontheboulevard.org. Should you see a painting you would like to purchase, please call or email the gallery before the opening reception to have a hold placed on the original.

Special Note: Art on the Boulevard Gallery pays Washington State Sales Tax on any and all gallery sales!

This Saturday, November 29th, I will be among other gallery artists at the Gallery San Juan Holiday Show in Friday Harbor. Opening reception is at 5:00 p.m. They are located at 210 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

On Friday, December 5th during the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Vancouver, Washington, I will be participating in the annual Small Works Show at Art on the Boulevard, with other gallery artists. I have 5 new pieces in that show, including paintings from France, Croatia and Italy. Two of those pieces are pictured here.

Venice Commute

Please go to their web site: www.artontheboulevard.org to preview the show. I hope any of my blog subscribers from these 2 areas will be able to attend openings and see the new work.

As a reminder, the show at La Conner Seaside Gallery in La Conner, WA is still hanging and we've had many very favorable reviews from patrons and visitors. This show hangs until January 5, 2009 and features paintings by myself and Mark Bistranin, photos by Mark Conley, glass work by Annette Tamm, and sculpture by Tamara Buchanan. Their web site: www.laconnerseasidegallery.com to preview the entire show.

If you are on Orcas Island, please visit Crow Valley Gallery in Eastsound to see some of my most recent plein air pieces from the islands and beyond! Crow Valley offers excellent annual holiday discounts on most items, from Nov. 28th through Christmas.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday! I am looking forward to a remodeled web site soon, complete with a "print gallery" shopping section for limited edition giclee prints made from my original paintings.

After having an opportunity to teach a 4 day Pastel workshop in a cabin northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, I enjoyed painting some brilliant fall colors . . . as we have now traveled across northern Georgia, southern Tennessee and are back at our mountain top retreat near Armuchee, GA. We have a stunning vista overlooking the blue ridge mountains on a very large old family property amidst wild turkeys, coyotes, raptors and deer. It is very peaceful, sleep comes easy and the painting sites are endless.

Valley below Wanda's cabin

Two major art events are happening when we return home from this trip: The Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters annual auction in Lynwood, Wa www.psgart.org for details on this November 1st event.

I am also having an opening at La Conner Seaside Gallery in La Conner, WA on Saturday, November 8th with an opening reception for the artists at 5:00 P.M. I will have @25 paintings (new work) at the gallery and hope any area web site subscribers can plan to attend. I will be showing with Mark Bistranin (oil paintings), Mark Conley (photography), Tamara Buchanan (sculpture) and Annette Tamm (glass) for the month of November.

The painting here “Afternoon Field” was awarded a First Place ribbon in the juried competition at the San Juan Preservation Trust and Plein Air Painters of Washington exhibit of artwork last Saturday, August 2. The painting was done en plein air, in pastel, at Swift Bay Farms on Lopez Island on July 27.

Over 100 pieces were hung at the paint-out at The Red Mill Farm on San Juan Island (from more than 30 artists) for this juried show, held on a beautiful 800+ acre working farm owned by Dodie Gann. A special exhibit for these works will have an opening reception at Gallery San Juan in Friday Harbor next Saturday, August 9, from 4-8 p.m. and will hang through most of August. Several pieces from the live paint-out were sold at the auction and show last Saturday, including two of my own.

All of the participating artists have work hanging in the gallery for this annual show. I hope some of you will be able to view this important exhibit of plein air paintings done by some of the best artists in Washington State. I am honored to be included in this show and to receive a major award from The San Juan Preservation Trust for my work. Half of the proceeds from painting sales benefit the San Juan Preservation Trusts' land acquisition fund.

The importance of these works are a benchmark from every artist involved in this show... as well as the people who came to buy paintings at the auction in support and all the volunteers who provided food, music and time to help create this major event. All of these folks posses a keen sense of helping to preserve the rural character of the San Juan Islands and should be commended for giving their time, money and talents to a higher cause. Gallery San Juan and The Plein Air Painters of Washington group should also be noted as major contributors to this effort, as they have proudly invested hundreds of hours to create public awareness and to make this annual fund raising event successful.

Giclee prints are available for this piece in a limited edition of 250, signed and numbered by me. Size (image) is 11 x 15”. Price is $85 unframed and includes insured UPS shipping anywhere in the continental US.. Half size prints (5.5 x 7.5 and 250 limited edition) are available at $45, including shipping. If you wish to order, please contact me.

A new print gallery will soon be available on my web site for ltd. editions from most of my artwork, including the European paintings made from our recent trip.

Tomorrow, I will be participating in the Plein Air Washington Painters paint-out on San Juan Island, to benefit the San Juan Preservation Trust. Over 30 artists are participating with works to be shown at the Red Mill Farm (Dodie Gann's) in San Juan Valley. We are also doing a “quick draw” at Red Mill Farm, for 2 hours starting at 12:30 p.m. It will be very exciting to be working among so many talented artists, in full view of the public and with a picnic to boot. I'm thinking some potato salad (I am from Idaho, you know) with carrot juice (for improved vision) will help me paint better. We shall see, but I can guarantee it will be fun and very interesting to see how so many artists can paint the same subjects in so many different ways!

The paintings (all plein air!) from this event will be displayed during the picnic and at San Juan Gallery in Friday Harbor (after the picnic), with a special opening on Saturday, August 9th. See their web site for details. www.gallerysanjuan.com

I am now showing my work in the Portland/Vancouver area at “Art on the Boulevard Gallery” in downtown Vancouver. www.artontheboulevard.org.

This gallery is managed by Kevin Weaver, formerly the curator/manager at Yoshida's Fine Art Gallery in Portland. It's great to be working with Kevin again, as he has managed to put together over 50 high quality artists (many of the best painters from Yoshida's are now showing here, as well) and is simply one of the best gallery managers I have ever had the opportunity to work with. If there isn't anything going-on around the art world, Kevin always finds a way to make something really cool happen . . . to wit, this evening is an art opening “Art in the Heart” from 5-9 where many artists are offering a one-time major discount on their works – it's ONE NIGHT ONLY, so get on down to the gallery and see what awaits! I have personally discounted a major piece (20%) titled “Boats at Vernazza Harbor and all of my other pieces are 10% off tonight only.

See the gallery web site and click on individual artists names for images. The gallery is located at Evergreen and Columbia in downtown Vancouver, Washington.

On Friday, March 14th, I will be showing my first artwork in my home town of Boise, Idaho, since 1970, at the Woman of Steel Gallery in Old Town Garden City, directly adjacent to Boise. Six original pastels (mostly painted plein air) from Idaho to Italy, with stops in between, will be displayed along with other artists' work in the gallery.

While I cannot be in attendance for this opening and show, I will be there in mind and spirit. I hope any Idaho friends, patrons and family will be able to stop-by the gallery on Friday, March 14th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM for the opening.

We are in the midst of final preparations and logistics for a 3 month painting trip to Portugal, Spain, France, Croatia and Italy beginning March 29th. We will be traveling mostly around the coastlines of these countries to do plein air painting, with side trips into many hill towns. Watch my web site www.windsweptstudios.com and please pass this message onto friends who might have an interest in seeing new works as they progress. I will be doing ‘nearly daily' blogs and photos of actual paintings as the trip progresses and will be showing these new works in 3 galleries upon my return starting in early July: Crow Valley Gallery, at Eastsound, Orcas Island, Washington, The Gottlieb Gallery, Portland, Oregon and Woman of Steel Gallery in Boise, Idaho, next summer and fall. Openings and show dates will appear on my web site soon.

Hyde Park Revisited

Pictured here is a piece titled “Hyde Park Revisited” from studies done last June on a trip to Boise. Much of the work in this show has been done similarly, either on-site or from studies as I travel around the northwest plus a couple of my favorite painting spots in Italy.

I am very pleased to be able to exhibit work in Irene Deelys' impressive gallery in Old Town Garden City and appreciate this opportunity to present my latest pieces. I am especially excited to be showing work in my home town again and look forward to hearing back from anyone who visits the show!

Woman of Steel Gallery is located at 3640 Chinden Blvd., Old Town Garden City, Idaho.

I will be showing new works from my plein-air painting trips around the world with 6 other artists, through December, at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, Washington. Opening reception for the artists will be Friday, December 7th from 6-8 p.m. during the Anacortes First Friday Art Walk. The exhibit runs through January 22, 2008.

Other pieces include an Anacortes street scene and various new paintings from around the Pacific Northwest and Italy. I hope to see many of you at the reception next Friday and do have a wonderful holiday!

Scott Milo Gallery is located at 420 Commercial Avenue, just across the street form The Majestic Hotel. Regular gallery hours are: Monday-Saturday, 10:30-4:30. The Gallery will be open every Sunday through Christmas. 360-293-6938. Visit their web site: www.scottmilo.com

An eclectic mix of paintings from Italy to the San Juan Islands and lots of stops in between

On Thursday, October 4th I will be present at The Gottlieb Gallery in Portland, Oregon for the opening of my first One Man Show. Reception is from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The show hangs through Friday October 26th and I will have over 20 new works on display at the gallery. The opening coincides with the First Thursday Art Walk. I hope to see many of you at the opening and personally invite you to come to their beautiful gallery to see my latest works.

After 8 years serving the Portland fine arts community with flair and character, Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery in Portland, Oregon, closed their doors on June 11, 2007. I would like to thank Linda Yoshida for the rare opportunity to exhibit at the gallery and to be involved in the annual “Observing Oregon” paint-outs and group shows.

My very special thanks go to the incredible gallery staff: mainly Kevin Weaver, David Baumann and Cherise Miller for 2 years of close affiliation plus successful sales and connections with clients while representing my artwork at the gallery. Fare thee well to all of you – it was a grand experience in so many ways!

New Portland Gallery

I am quite pleased and much honored to announce my new gallery affiliation at The Gottlieb Gallery in downtown Portland.

Since purchasing the business in the early 90’s, Julie Gottlieb has proudly positioned her gallery as one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading venues of the highest quality fine art.

Her personal approach to successful pairings of quality artwork, artists and clients is not only common knowledge in the Portland art scene, but comes from careful selections that rely upon her innate ability to identify and cultivate excellence in fine art at every level.

Visit the gallery website: www.gottliebgallery.com to see and experience the artwork and artists firsthand. I look forward to re-connecting with my Portland area clients and collectors at:

This Thursday, May 3rd, both Judy and I will be in attendance at Yoshida's Fine Art Gallery in Portland, Oregon, for the opening of the invitational show “Urbanscapes, Dusk till Dawn.” I hope to see many of you at the gallery for this fantastic show of work from 9 artists dealing with subject matter from the twilight hours of cities from all over the world. You may even find yourself walking down some of those sidewalks, about to cross a neon bathed street, floating the canals, riding the rails or just staring wistfully at back-lit buildings and storefronts.

Visit their web site www.yoshidagallery.com to preview the work, but better yet, stop by either at the opening or during the month of May to see this show first hand. I was especially pleased to make paintings on a theme that gave me some new challenges - I do live on an island, you know. It has also provided new directions to my more rural ‘regular' work, as well.

Rainy Night/Portland

Pictured here is a piece titled “Rainy Night, Portland” painted last month. I also have pieces from Italy, England and Boston in this show, plus one of my personal favorites "The First and Last Chance Tavern" painted from Judy's class re-union in Ellensburg, WA last summer.

It's a joy to exhibit and work alongside so many talented artists especially with a gallery that really makes interesting things happen! A lot of thought goes into planning and coordinating shows like this (especially by the gallery) and even more preparation and work time by participating artists who could just sit back and say “New Works by Blah Blah”. This show has substance WAY beyond the mundane. Come see for yourselves!

On Friday, April 27th, there will be an opening at The Colin Goode Gallery of Fine Art in Lopez Village for our first annual “Miniatures” show, featuring 6 artists, all with pieces no larger than a 5” x 7” image area. The opening reception will be from 5-7 p.m. and you are invited to come view some great small art. All 2-D pieces in this show are priced at $350 or less, which is a great way to start or enhance your art collection with very affordable matted and framed originals.

One of the pastels I will have in this show is pictured here “October Sun/Flower Island” and is one of 2 ‘chiaro-scuro’ pieces I have for this show . . . in addition to some ‘plein air’ island theme pieces.

October Sun/Flower Island

The other artists in this show are: Colin Goode, Daphne Morris, Karen Hattman, Bob Riggins and Matt Miller (Shaw Island artist). Refreshments will be served and live music will be provided by Leta Currie Marshall and Ginny Keith. I will be at the reception together with other artists from the group and hope to see any of you who might be on Lopez this coming weekend!

I will be teaching a 3 day plein air pastel workshop at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle on June 4-6, 2007.

If you are interested in learning to take your studio skills outside and paint on-site in pure pigment pastel, this will be an excellent opportunity to spend three days on and around the docks working from live subject matter. Even if you are a beginner at pastels, this will be a good workshop to learn plein air basics.

I will be doing one live demo per day and will be giving students individual attention as they work on exercises after the demos.

You will learn to paint successfully in a "real life" setting and have a lot of fun in the process!

To sign-up for this class, contact Mareth Warren, program director, at [email protected]. You can also visit the Center for Wooden Boats website at www.cwb.org and click on the 2007 catalog. My class description is on page 14.

My newest work will be featured at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, Washington, with an opening artists' reception during the First Friday Art Walk on April 6th.

Ten new pieces are from my most recent plein air painting trips to New England, Canada, Italy and of course, the Pacific Northwest. Every painting in this show was painted on-site, or from painted studies made on location.

Sunset, Grossetto, Italy

I continue to pursuit and refine my plein air painting techniques with an emphasis on grabbing the light and weather conditions while providing the viewer with a sense of time and place through the medium of pure pigment pastel.

The pastel medium has become my favorite as it creates so many facets and refractions when it's mixed on the surface of the paper-and holds color permanence indefinitely. It doesn't have to dry (and turn dark with age), nor fade because it's been mixed with water or chemicals. It's really what the cave painters used and it's the exact same pigments used today to manufacture all other paints (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.,) but in the purest form!

Tulip Fields, Skagit Valley

I hope to see many of you at this opening and look forward to showing my latest work. This show runs through April 24th.

The "Seasons of Change" show featuring 12 gallery artists will open on Thursday, October 5th at Yoshida's Fine Art Gallery in Portland. "Springs Late Bloom" (Lavender Farm) is pictured here and was featured in a glossy ad in the last issue of "Fine Arts Connoisseur" magazine.

The show will highlight the 4 seasons, with my selected work from the Pacific Northwest and Italy included in the show.

You can visit the exhibit gallery on-line at www.yoshidagallery.com to see some of the artwork submitted for this show . . . but better yet, visit the gallery in person at 10th and Davis Streets in The Pearl District.

We're finally winding-down from the Labor Day Weekend Studio Tour which had a record turn-out of over 400 people through our home and studio in 2 days. The new addition to our home/gallery allowed 27 originals to be displayed as well as dozens of giclee prints out for full view (not in print bins).

I had many questions and comments about the works in progress which were on 3 easels throughout the exhibit,enough that I will be doing "live" plein-air demo pieces at next years studio tour.

We are already planning for the next tour as well as "Open Studio" weekends in the summer of 2007. Please remember, if you wish to stop-by anytime you are visiting Lopez Island, simply call or e-mail. (360) 468-2557 or [email protected] ... you and your guests are always welcome to view works-in-progress and have a private tour of my studio and home gallery.

My work is always available to view at the following galleries: Crow Valley Pottery, Orcas Island; Colin Goode Gallery, Lopez Island; Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA; Pacific Marine Gallery, Bellingham, WA; Yoshida's Fine Art Gallery, Portland, OR; and River Stone Gallery, Ennis, Montana. All of these galleries feature exquisite works by other artists as well and are well worth a stop anytime you are in those areas!!

I'd like to thank all who came to our studio and hope to see you next year, as well. I'll be sending "blogs" of the next few art events I’m participating in around the Northwest as they occur.

The 10th Annual Labor Day Weekend Studio Tour will be this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2 & 3rd on Lopez Island. I have dozens of new originals and giclee prints from my recent two trips to Italy as well as sojourns around the San Juans and Pacific Northwest on display.

It's an easy 2 mile walk or drive from the ferry landing to our home at 783 Port Stanley Road. Go south on the only road from the ferry landing and turn left in about a mile onto Port Stanley Rd., just across from the entrance to Odlin County Park. Proceed east one mile to our home which is on the left side of the road (water side) just 3 drive ways past Shoreland Drive.

There are 23 studios and 32 artists participating in this annual 2 day event. I'm posting two recent plein air pieces that I painted on Lopez this month. Both will be at the studio and have matching giclee prints as well.

My originals are all framed with high quality wood mouldings, real linen archival double mats, spacers and museum grade glass for the best possible presentation and are ready to hang in your art collection.

My pastels can be shipped anywhere in the world in special "Airfloat" shipping containers with a "made for pastel" triple foam layer for protection. I've had excellent results shipping this way with no breakage, dust or damage to any contents, in spite of the fact that some shipping companies use handling methods akin to a cub bear wearing boxing gloves or a soccer player on steroids. In fact, these conainers are so-o-o soft, I'm thinking of using one to sit on while I paint next time!

I hope to see you this weekend and as always, welcome visitor's to the studio by appointment. Simply call 360-468-2557 or e-mail: [email protected]

The Friday (July 21) opening at Crow Valley was very successful for all artists involved. Red dots were posted everywhere including on two of my originals that evening. "Preservation Path" pictured here plus one other which I will post on the site later, as it was purchased as a surprise for another party.

Painting en plein air

I was able to paint a live demo piece for show-goers, with the fields of Crow Valley forming a luminescent backdrop in late afternoon.

That piece is available for purchase during the show which runs through July 30th. There are still some great paintings available by all artists who participated in the "Home and Abroad" theme for this show. My work focuses on Orcas Island and Italy landscape and marine paintings.

I will be exhibiting 20 new pieces at Crow Valley Pottery on Orcas Island, including the piece "Bottom's Up" pictured here.

"bottoms up"

The show opens Friday July 21st with an artists' reception from 4-7 p.m. Please visit their web site: www.crowvalley.com for show details.

In addition, I will be participating in the annual "Observing Oregon" 3 day invitational paint-out at Yoshida's Fine Art Gallery in Portland, Oregon. There will be 10 artists altogether painting en plein air at three different sites during the event, including: The Sandy River, near Troutdale, Sauvies Island in the Columbia River and downtown Portland. The paint-out will culminate with an opening at Yoshida's Gallery during the first Thursday art walk on August 3rd, with an artists' reception from 5-9 p.m. Over 25,000 people come-out for these art walks and visit several dozen galleries. It's well worth the experience and the trip for art lovers anywhere and I hope to see some of you there! Please visit the gallery web site: www.yoshidagallery.com for show details.

I am participating in a new exhibit at Yoshida Gallery in Portland called "Fruit of the Vine" together with 18 other gallery artists. I hope you can come to the First Thursday Artwalk at The Pearl District in Portland on May 4th to see my newest pieces for this show, which will hang until May 28th.

The show coincides with Oregon's Annual Spring Wine Event and should prove to be a large and diverse collection of interpretive works on the subject. My particular pieces are all from our recent painting trip to Italy.

This Friday, April 5th, will be the second artwalk at Scott Milo Gallery where I am showing as the featured artist. I will have two new pieces from the Italy series "Sommelier" and "Near Siena" in addition to pieces now showing at the gallery.

Near Siena

I will be in attendance for the artwalk and look forward to seeing all who can make it! The gallery walk is from 6-9 p.m. and Scott Milo Gallery is located at the corner of 4th and Commercial Avenue, in old-town Anacortes.Get Directions to Scott Milo Gallery

I am very pleased to announce that I am now showing at Crow Valley Pottery, Orcas Islands' most venerable and finest venue for visual artists in all mediums. Presently, I have 5 pieces at the gallery (from the Italy series and some from the islands) with plans to add more over the up-coming season, culminating with a big show on July 21st called "Here and There" . . . which, if you know anything at all about Jeffri Coleman and Michael Rivkin's world travels, promises to be an extraordinary event.

Do check their web-site: www.crowvalleypottery.com and keep track of this season's events at the gallery. It's a joy to be able to show and participate with so many talented artists from all over the world, especially in a setting that fosters excellence and unsurpassed experience in selecting fine art with an eclectic spirit.

Watch for announcements closer to show time and contact the gallery if you would like to attend this event.

I have 8 new pieces showing at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, Washington through April 25th. The opening reception was during the first Friday artwalk that drew a crowd of several hundred people to the galleries in Anacortes. I'm posting two of the images (one from the Italy series and one from the northwest series)to view here.

cottage on the bay

Giclee prints will be available for all pieces in this show upon request. Prices for the giclees are from $225 - $385, depending on size and will be sold only through the gallery. I hope you have as much fun looking at my new works as I had painting them.

I am having a special one man show at Macy*s downtown Seattle store through January 31, with 16 original pastels. Work is from my Pacific Northwest and Italy series of plein air paintings. Macy*s Gallery is located on the 6th (skybridge) floor of the store.

All paintings have been captioned with location/dates and all were done either on-site (plein air) or from drawings and color studies made on-site.

Artwork on the wall at Macy*s

Here is a sample wall of work (click on the image for larger view)from my exhibit. Information to how contact the artist, as well as prices are also at the gallery. This show was made possible by The Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters and Macy*s store.

Special note: Giclee prints of most of these originals are also available directly from the artist and range in price from $225 to $385 each. Prints are made in very limited editions of 25 per series. The series consists of 25 full size and 25 half size or three-quarter size prints. Click on the link below for a map and directions to the store.

This exhibit opportunity just came-up last week. I will be having a solo show at Macy*s downtown Seattle store in their gallery which is on the 6th floor. I will have newer plein air pieces from both Italy and the Pacific Northwest on display and for sale from January 5th (coincides with the first Thursday Art Walk) through January 31st. There will be 15-18 framed and matted originals.

The show was made available to members of the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters for the months of January and February only. Another painting group (The Women Painters of Washington) has the gallery space during the other 10 months. I hope any of you who are visiting Seattle or shopping in the downtown area will be able to take a break and see the new works.

The store address is: 3rd and Pine Streets, Seattle. They have a large parking (Macy*s Garage) directly across the street from the store. It's easiest to take the Sky Bridge directly from the parking lot to the store which puts you on the floor with the gallery - located in a corner next to Crystal & Jewelry.